Background

National Cooperative Development Board (NCDB) was formed in August 1991 as ad hoc basis in accordance with the decision of the council of Ministers. The Board was initially entrusted the responsibility of revising the cooperative legislation and designing a strategy for revitalizing the cooperative movement so as to make it self reliant and people managed.

More specifically, the main tasks of NCDB included the following:

• a) formulate cooperative policies.
• b) work out a new cooperative legislation.
• c) help set up the structure of the cooperative movement from bottom to top.
• d) coordinate the activities of cooperatives in different sectors.
• e) establish necessary infrastructures required for facilitating the process of cooperative development.

Subsequently in October 1992, the permanent status of NCDB was confirmed by an Act of Parliament with the main functions to assist the government and cooperative movement on policy matters, to help organize technical and financial assistance to the cooperative movement and to serve as coordinating body between the government and cooperative movement.